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I think part of the problem is that the rules are just kinda... stupid? There is absolutely no reason why regular alkaline batteries can't end up in household g

I think part of the problem is that the rules are just kinda... stupid? There is absolutely no reason why regular alkaline batteries can't end up in household garbage. They don't contain heavy metals or anything else that'd make them dangerous. The rules are basically like this because the regulators figured you're too dumb to know which types of batteries are bad for the environment (lead-acid, the now-obsolete Ni-Cd, less significantly NiMH). And sure, better-tailored rules would confuse some folks, but I bet that compliance would be higher for the really bad stuff.

whaleofatw2022 3y ago
Alkaline batteries contain manganese dioxide, which is certainly not as bad as the rechargeable types but still is a health hazard in enough quantity. "Heavy duty" (zinc-carbon) has the same concern AFAIK
aborochoff 3y ago
At least in nyc alkaline batteries do go in the normal trash. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/harmful-products/batteries-harmful https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/harmful-produc...
cptskippy 3y ago
> The rules are basically like this because the regulators figured you're too dumb to know which types of batteries are bad for the environment No everyone is as smart as you. Not everyone cares as much as you. Not everyone has the time or energy as you. The rules are designed to solve the problem of hazardous and toxic battery chemistries with as little friction as possible.
- bcrosby95 3y ago
  Yep, and in my experience they just toss everything in the trash anyways.
joecool1029 3y ago
> There is absolutely no reason why regular alkaline batteries can't end up in household garbage. Years ago mercury was common in alkalines, they were banned in that use case in 1996: https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-batteries https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-batteries The collection bins that were in my local grocery stores went away within a few years of that.

whaleofatw2022 3y ago

Alkaline batteries contain manganese dioxide, which is certainly not as bad as the rechargeable types but still is a health hazard in enough quantity. "Heavy duty" (zinc-carbon) has the same concern AFAIK

aborochoff 3y ago

At least in nyc alkaline batteries do go in the normal trash. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/harmful-products/batteries-harmful https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/harmful-produc...

cptskippy 3y ago

> The rules are basically like this because the regulators figured you're too dumb to know which types of batteries are bad for the environment No everyone is as smart as you. Not everyone cares as much as you. Not everyone has the time or energy as you. The rules are designed to solve the problem of hazardous and toxic battery chemistries with as little friction as possible.

bcrosby95 3y ago
Yep, and in my experience they just toss everything in the trash anyways.

joecool1029 3y ago

> There is absolutely no reason why regular alkaline batteries can't end up in household garbage. Years ago mercury was common in alkalines, they were banned in that use case in 1996: https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-batteries https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-batteries The collection bins that were in my local grocery stores went away within a few years of that.